WAITING GAME FOR CHILD VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

NORTH East children who are victims of family violence are facing a 12-month public waiting list to receive vital counselling.

Kath Kerin, manager for Upper Murray Family Care’s Child and Family Services, has concerns about the long waiting list for children in need of counselling. Picture: MATTHEW SMITHWICK

NORTH East children who are victims of family violence are facing a 12-month public waiting list to receive vital counselling.

Other services that might be provided sooner are either inaccessible due to funding constraints or just too expensive for struggling families, said Upper Murray Family Care child and family services manager Kath Kerin.

While meeting the demand has “always been a challenge”, Ms Kerin said the number of families facinghardship — including family violence, poverty, bullying at school or mental health issues — was ever-increasing.

“The limited services and the demand just don’t match,” she said.

“The immediate risk is that the issues escalate to become more complex and the child more vulnerable.

“In the long-term, not having early intervention means young people risk repeating the cycle (of behaviour).”